National WWI Memorial: A Place to Honor Diversity on Juneteenth

Bugler Christopher Watkins sounded Taps on Juneteenth to remember the “Harlem Hellfighters” at the World War I Memorial in downtown D.C. The tribute not only honored the highly decorated 369th Infantry Regiment, but it also honored and embraced diversity within our fighting forces going back to WWI.

Originally from Marietta, Georgia, Watkins sounds Taps on Juneteenth for the Doughboy Foundation, a nonprofit organization, at the World War I Memorial, one of D.C.’s newest memorials, which is scheduled for completion in September 2024.

Christopher Watkins

“I think it’s good that Juneteenth is finally recognized…its national symbol now,” said Watkins. “It shows that those who were enslaved people aren’t forgotten and allows us to teach our children about this part of our history.”

Buglers sound Taps each night at 5 p.m. at the WWI Memorial, today’s Taps spotlighted the contributions of the 369th Infantry Regiment, called the “Harlem Hellfighters,” which represented U.S. forces assigned to augment French allied troops.

“This is a very famous infantry regiment…all African American,” said Watkins.

Members of this unit were well decorated, and their U.S. Army-issued uniform included a button worn on their top, left collar to note their regiment’s name, and a blue helmet because they fought with our French allies.

The Harlem Hellfighters received veteran status upon returning from war. Conversely, women serving as “Hello Girls,” including African American women, during WWI were not afforded veteran status due to federal laws at the time. Like the Harlem Hellfighters, the Hello Girls deployed overseas, wore the Army uniform, and supported getting communication to the front lines to U.S. warfighters.

The World War I Centennial Commission and the Doughboy Foundation are raising awareness for the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor to ensure that all men and women who served in uniform during WWI are honored for their service and recognize the diversity of our fighting forces, including WWI.

“Beyond this event, the WWI Commission and Doughboy Foundation are collaborating on the completion of a WWI Memorial in downtown Washington, D.C., said Doughboy Foundation Executive Director Jari Villanueva. “Buglers dressed in the Doughboy uniforms can be seen in person and live via https://doughboy.org and YouTube.”

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